​B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International is disappointed over the drastic cuts to vital programs included in the White House’s 2018 federal budget. Low-income seniors face extensive challenges if the proposed cuts to housing and nutrition assistance, and health care are enacted.

Specifically, B’nai B’rith has very serious concerns regarding the proposed cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our long history with Section 202 housing, which provides housing assistance for low-income seniors, started in 1971 when we formed a partnership with HUD to sponsor housing for seniors of limited means. The B’nai B’rith Senior Housing Network in the United States comprises 38 buildings and serves more than 8,000 people. We are the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for seniors in the country. B’nai B’rith is worried that residents of Section 202 properties might not receive fully funded rental subsidies in the FY 18 budget, which is a direct threat to the housing needs of our most vulnerable seniors.

Currently, President Donald Trump is proposing to increase Section 202 rent to 35 percent of a resident’s income (from the current level of 30 percent), or a minimum $50 contribution for those people who make less than $2,000 a year. Both of these proposed changes could force already-struggling seniors into a significant financial hardship. Unfortunately, for residents with no income or extremely limited income, even this small increase could become an unreasonable burden.

The budget also includes dramatic cuts to food assistance programs. About five million seniors could, potentially, go hungry without food assistance if Congress passes the president’s planned budget, which targets the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a government program that provides food to low-income Americans. The budget plans to cut SNAP’s funding by 25 percent. Cutting SNAP funding at such dramatic levels will harm low-income seniors as millions of them depend on this program to buy groceries.

The White House’s budget plans to cut Medicaid by $627 billion over 10 years is another area of enormous concern. Millions of poor and disabled seniors rely on Medicaid to subsidize their nursing home costs. Eliminating any part of the Medicaid budget will make nursing homes out of financial reach for many of those in need of such care.

Over the last several months, B’nai B’rith has been advocating to members of Congress the importance of these programs for seniors and will continue our efforts as Congress considers what to include in the federal budget. We urge Congress not to adopt the Administration’s proposal to defund programs that are vital to the most vulnerable older Americans.

​B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International praises U.S. President Donald J. Trump for his solemn recognition of the Holocaust as, “the most savage crime against G-d and His children.” On Tuesday afternoon, Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and members of the first family, visited Yad Vashem and laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance.

In his remarks, the president also acknowledged that the Shoah “was history’s darkest hour” and that “millions of innocent, wonderful and beautiful lives—men, women and children—were extinguished as part of a systematic attempt to eliminate the Jewish people. It was the most savage crime against G-d and His children…”

Trump continued to speak on the Jewish people’s perseverance and that “The State of Israel is a strong and soaring monument to the solemn pledge we repeat and affirm: Never again.”

We also commend Trump’s declaration to eradicate terrorism and extremism. Earlier today, Trump spoke at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, calling for a coalition “of partners who share the aim of stamping out extremism and violence—and providing our children a peaceful and hopeful future.”

The president reiterated his commitment to foster peace in the Middle East and expects that “Israelis and Palestinians can make a deal.” The president also stated that the United States is determined to stand by Israel, and “defend our shared values so that together we can defeat terrorism and create safety for all of G-d’s children.”

B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International welcomes the pledge of mutual cooperation between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they concluded talks today at the prime minister’s residence in Israel. We applaud Trump’s pledge to build upon the partnership and friendship between the two countries, “Today we reaffirm the unbreakable bond of friendship between Israel and the United States. A friendship built on our shared love of freedom, our shared belief in human dignity and our shared hope for an Israel at lasting peace. We want Israel to have peace.”

Netanyahu commended Trump for being the first ever sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall.

“I was deeply moved by my visit today to the Western Wall; words fail to capture the experience. It will leave an impression on me forever,” Trump said.

Trump acknowledged the road to peace will be difficult, but said “America stands ready” to help Israel achieve the peace it deserves.

Netanyahu noted to Trump how much Israel appreciates the “American change in policy on Iran.” Trump spoke of “advancing prosperity, defeating the evils of terrorism and facing the threat of an Iranian regime that is threatening the region and causing so much violence and suffering." Iran, which projects its influence throughout the Middle East, is the world's leading state sponsor of terror and an ardent enemy of Israel.

B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International commends U.S. President Donald J. Trump and first lady Melania Trump for visiting the Western Wall—the first U.S. sitting president who has done so. The Western Wall is one of Judaism’s holiest sites in Jerusalem, and thousands of Jews come to pray there every day.

Upon his arrival to the Jewish state, the president and his family were greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. The two world leaders held a joint press conference at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

“We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace,” Trump said. “But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.”

Trump’s first visit to Israel comes at a time when global terrorism and anti-Semitism are at an all time high.

Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to peace, “The peace we seek is a genuine and durable one, in which the Israeli state is recognized, security remains in Israel’s hands, and the conflict ends once and for all.”

This is also the earliest visit a U.S. sitting president had made to Israel.

President Donald Trump’s speech today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before some 50 Arab and Muslim world leaders sent a clear message to Arab nations that they need to join the fight against Islamic terrorism.

In seeking a partnership with Muslim nations to combat terror in the name of Islam, Trump delivered his most measured words on the Islamic faith noting: “This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations.” Instead, he made it a more universal contrast: “This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people, all in the name of religion—people that want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil.”

We also commend Trump for challenging the Arab world to unite in confronting Iran—the largest state sponsor of global terror.

The B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem will host this week noted Uruguayan scientist and ecologist professor Nestor Mazzeo Beyhaut—winner of the B'nai B'rith Uruguay "Luz y Verdad" (Light and Truth) Award for 2016. He will visit Israel for the first time on May 19 and stay through May 26.

B'nai B'rith Uruguay has brought acclaimed Uruguayan artists and scientists to Israel for the last 30 years as part of its extensive outreach programs. The principal prize of these awards is an all-expense paid trip to Israel where the B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem is responsible for crafting and executing an intensive program of professional encounters and touring.

Beyhaut holds a B.S. from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Uruguay and a Ph.D. from the University of Concepcion in Chile. He is a professor at the Department of Theoretical and Practical Ecology, Faculty of Sciences at the University of Uruguay, and is an associate researcher and research director at the South American Institute of Resilience and Sustainability Studies (SARAS). He has authored and co-authored many scientific papers published in peer-reviewed international journals.

In the course of his visit, Beyhaut will meet with peers from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at The Hebrew University, leaders from the Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research, School of Environmental Sciences and Tel-Hai College. Beyhaut will also meet with experts at the department of Geosciences at Tel Aviv University; and with researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science. He will also visit Yarkon River Authority, Ariel Sharon Park and the Hula and En Afek Nature Reserves. Beyhaut will tour Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem and other religious sites near the Sea of Galilee.

For interviews and further information, please contact B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider at 052-5536441 or aschneider@bnaibrith.org.

B’nai B’rith’s top leaders have just concluded a multi-country mission in Latin America, where B’nai B’rith has had a strong presence for more than 80 years.

President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin led a delegation of B’nai B’rith leaders to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

Together with local leadership, including International Senior Vice President Eduardo Weinstein in Chile; B'nai B'rith Latin American Chair and BBA Mentor Mario Wilhelm in Argentina; President's Advisor Jorge Stainfeld in Argentina and Uruguay; and Director for Latin America Affairs Eduardo Kohn in all three countries, Saltzman and Mariaschin met leading officials, media and the Jewish communities.

At these high-level meetings, B’nai B’rith stressed the global voting record at the United Nations in relations to Israel and the unfairness of the bloc voting which benefits Palestinian intransigence for face-to-face meetings, at the expense of Israel. B’nai B’rith insisted at each meeting that Latin American countries can be of crucial help if they are adamant to the Palestinians that there is no other way to achieving peace than accepting a face-to-face peace negotiation around one table.

There were media interviews and numerous reports in social media, including tweets from President Macri´s office . In Uruguay the daily newspapers El Observador and El Pais featured the meetings on page 1. There was also an interview for social media in Chile.

The tragic humanitarian crisis in Venezuela was also an important topic for discussion. B’nai B’rith will be attending the next Organization of American States General Assembly in Mexico in June and will voice very clearly that humanitarian aid in medicines and food for the Venezuelan people is urgent.

Interfaith relations were discussed widely with the Jewish community and B’nai B’rith leadership in Chile.

B’nai B’rith Argentina’s effective medicine distribution program was also discussed with Macri and Foreign Minister Malcorra. The program, which was developed by B’nai B’rith Argentina with the support of OSDE, in 2002, has delivered nearly $100,000,000 worth of medicines to each corner of the country. It is a significant B’nai B’rith community action service that continues today, distributing wheel chairs and other medical supplies.

Saltzman and Mariaschin had in-depth meetings with B’nai B’rith leaders and volunteers in all three countries and discussed in detail the vast programs of B’nai B’rith International as well as those created and run by B’nai B’rith Latin America, in the community action and policy fields.

​As Passover ends each year, people often talk about how many people were at their Seders, and recount good memories when families get together. They are tired from the preparations, but they look forward to be being able to do it again next year.Unfortunately, some are not so lucky and are unable to afford food that is kosher for Passover.The B’nai B’rith Project H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Everywhere) program helps make Passover happen for many families, by providing Passover staples to those unable to make these purchases for themselves. Through this community service project, B’nai B’rith volunteers and staff collect and distribute food packages to poor and elderly Jews during Passover. Created in the Northeast United States nearly 50 years ago, this project is an important part of the B’nai B’rith Center for Community Action’s community service program. Many people cannot afford Passover food—which becomes a luxury item when you are on a fixed income. This program exists to ensure anyone who wants to celebrate the holiday can do so. ​

Tens of thousands have celebrated Passover thanks to this program over the last half century. The Tikkun Olam impact on the volunteers who run the programs and those who pack and deliver the food is immeasurable. Many who volunteered as children have now brought on board their own children and grandchildren, marking this community service project as an annual family event.

B’nai B’rith thanks our countless volunteers who continue to participate in this national program.

This year, Project H.O.P.E. in B’nai B’rith’s MetroNorth Region of New York and Connecticut packed and distributed 724 bags of Passover food. On Long Island, N.Y., volunteers packed and delivered 312 bags to communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. In Connecticut, Project H.O.P.E. packed and delivered another 312 packages. Volunteers came from BBYO, as well as community organizations such as the Jewish Federation and local synagogues. In New York City, young leaders from the New York/New Jersey B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network joined forces to pack 96 bags—including personal notes for the recipients—for seniors in the area.

In Philadelphia, Project H.O.P.E. celebrated its 20th year of delivering packages, producing 1,250 bags of groceries that were delivered by dedicated volunteers. B’nai B’rith leaders in the Philadelphia region estimate that Project H.O.P.E. has impacted the lives of more than 7,400 families in need since 1997.In Maryland, volunteers for the Chesapeake Region worked to bring 500 bags of Passover food and wine to those in their community. They worked with the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA), Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, Giant Food, and several area synagogues that, along with JSSA, provided additional labor.In Virginia, B’nai B’rith coordinated food packages and visits to 110 recipients. This program tailors the package to each family during the week of Passover. The recipients vary, from single mothers to Jewish seniors living alone. Volunteers came from the B’nai B’rith Levy Lodge and Cardozo Lodge, Bet Mishpachah and Olam Tikvah Congregation. In Great Lakes Region in Michigan, B’nai B’rith members and supporters paid for and packed 50 boxes of Passover food at the Jewish Family Services office. Volunteers included young leaders from the new B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network of Detroit. Meeting the recipients each year helps reinforce the significance of the program. This year, a new recipient noted that she had no extra money to spend on Passover foods since her landlord had raised her rent $100 a month. The package from Project H.O.P.E. enabled her to observe Passover with her family—something she hadn’t thought was possible this year.A couple in their 90s, who had been active community members in their younger days but now were more isolated, told the volunteers who delivered the packages this year that they were amazed by the bounty being delivered. The wife tearfully told the volunteer coordinator: “It’s so good to know that the mishpacha remembers us and cares about us.” For more information or to make a donation, please contact cca@bnaibrith.org.

B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to President-elect Emmanuel Macron congratulating him on his election as the 25th president of France. B’nai B’rith looks forward to working with Macron on sustaining a positive relationship between Israel and France.

B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and Executive Vice President and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: “On behalf of B’nai B’rith International’s more than 100,000 members and supporters around the world, we write to warmly congratulate you on the historic occasion of your election as president. We hope that your tenure will be an era of positive growth for the trans-Atlantic partnership and for relations between France and Israel.”

They also noted: “We also would like to applaud you for the important stand you have taken against anti-Semitism and in favor of the France-Israel relationship. We welcomed your assertion that unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state would cause instability and harm French-Israeli ties."